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In HOME & DIY, THOUGHTS

the art of letter writing + DIY envelope

Author ErinPosted on 1 Comment

 

Has anyone ever asked you what your love language is?  Probably.  My husband and I always laugh about this, because I always say for guys it’s physical touch and for girls (ok more specifically mamas) it’s acts of service:)  hehe.  Am I right?!?

 

But really, I wish there was a letter writing category.  Because this is definitely my love language.  Maybe it’s a thing my mom passed down to me … maybe it’s because I love the artsy craftsy stuff … maybe it’s because today, it’s rare that anyone takes the time to sit and think and write.  It truly is an art that I hope will never be fully lost amidst the hustle and bustle of the technology crazed world we live in.  I have never been the best with words when I’m face to face with someone, but there’s something about putting pen to paper that seems to free any insecurity or hesitation I had before.

 

My daughter sees me writing all the time and is catching on to all that a letter entails — she has learned the hard way WHY momma has to write the address on the envelope for her, and why the stamp must go in the upper righthand corner of the envelope (many a letters have been left in our box!!).

 

 

She’s got a couple of go-to pen pals and will often ask me for an envelope after she’s done a little drawing and folded the paper herself.  She’s usually quite impatient while I write the address, I let her do the stamp, and then of course she has to put it in our mailbox “by myself mom!”:)

 

 

 

My friend (hi Heidi!) recently sent me a note that came inside the cutest homemade envelope, and it reminded me that I used to do this all the time.  It’s really so simple and can add a lovely touch to a card or letter.  Any craft store should have a big paper section (usually they come in 12″ x 12″ size) with lots of options.  I picked this cute bird pattern up over the weekend and I have a feeling I’ll be back for more:)

 

 

Take a normal envelope, whichever size you’d like to use, and gently tear it apart so you end up with something like the photo above.  Next, trace the outline of it onto your paper of choice.  Cut with scissors on your traced line and you’ll end up with the shape of your envelope.

 

 

Using your original envelope as a reference, fold your scrap paper up the same way and use a tiny bit of glue to stick the folds together.  Don’t forget to leave the top flap open!

 

 

Done!  Now you have your own personalized envelope ready for use.  Just use another tiny bit of glue to seal the top flap once your letter is inside.  If your pattern is dark or busy, you can glue a small rectangular piece of white paper on top to write the address.  I had some blank stickers that came in handy.  Ta da!

 

 

Tell me, when is the last time you sat and wrote a letter?  Think of someone you really care about.  And do it.  I promise it will make their day:)

In MOTHERHOOD, THOUGHTS

what miscarriage has taught me.

Author ErinPosted on 1 Comment

 

Isn’t that a beautiful photo?  Well to be honest, I think all old fashioned photographs look beautiful:)  That’s my late Grandma Rachel.  She had eight miscarriages before she adopted my dad and my aunt.  She was a woman of grace and style and sweetness.  I often think of her as I go through my own miscarriage journey.  To be completely honest, a little over a year ago, I never would have thought I’d be here, in this position, with this heartache.

 

It started a little over a week ago — the same way it always does — and I knew.  I just knew.  I wasn’t in shock, I didn’t break down in tears (immediately anyway), I didn’t rush to call my midwife.  I just let out a sigh.  I said a little prayer.  I called my husband at work and told him, we’re losing it again.  Of course — the tears came then, because saying it out loud always hurts.

 

I’ve had four miscarriages in a time span of 13 months and each one continues to teach me something different.  I’m not writing this post from a place of ‘please feel sorry for me’ or anything like that; honestly, sometimes writing about my loss and processing the change that has taken place in me because of it helps me realize that somewhere deep within my broken heart, there is healing happening too.  It is not the kind of healing that our world sees as good or progressive.  It is one that has brought me to my knees and taught me about brokenness, about a hope beyond my sorrow, and opened my eyes — especially in the moment when the loss first manifests itself — to what really matters in this life.

 

My ways are not His ways.  I have learned that my plans don’t always pan out.  I have learned to take each day as it comes rather than planning too much into the future.

 

I’m not in control.  In some ways, this can be freeing, but it can be really frustrating too.  I’m still navigating this one, and trying to find a healthy balance between taking action and trusting in the process.

 

I’m not very patient.  I wanted a baby — like, yesterday.  Sometimes it kills me to see how big my little boy is getting without wondering about the babies that could have been looking up to him had I not miscarried.  It’s so hard to trust in God’s timing.  But I’m trying.

 

I’ve learned to be grateful.  Again, this is a mindset I have to work on every single day.  I have so, so much.  I have two healthy children.  I have a husband who I adore.  I realize that some women have travelled this road with no children to come home to after a disappointing appointment; no children to kiss or hold as they recover from a loss.  I think of my Grandma Rachel.

 

Everyone is fighting a battle.  God has placed some very special women in my life who have helped me through those really tough days.  Women who have dealt with hardships I can’t even imagine and come out the other side stronger, willing to share their story, crying with me and wanting to give comfort.  Pregnancy loss has made me far more sensitive, less judgmental, and more empathetic.

 

Life is precious.  I know I know, it sounds cliché:)  But it’s more true to me now than ever before.  Life is a beautiful, fragile, precious thing.  I now look at my children as walking miracles — how crazy that my body was able to create a HUMAN BEING?!?  (ok, with some help from God;)  We take pregnancy for granted when everything goes right.  I can honestly say I don’t think I’ll ever take it for granted again.

 

I could go on and on.  But I can hear Eamon, awake from his nap, and Méabh is currently at my ankles wanting some attention:)  That’s another thing I’ve learned … life goes on.